Syria in the dock

Yesterday the United Nations Security Council voted to establish an international tribunal to prosecute suspects in the assassination of of Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The vote was 10-0 with five abstenstions. United States Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad issued a statement on the vote:

Those who killed Rafiq Hariri and so many others will be brought to justice and held responsible for their crimes.
The tribunal will also serve to deter future political assassinations. Those who might be tempted to commit similar crimes will know there will be consequences for perpetuating political violence and intimidation in Lebanon.